The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is responsible for managing and protecting California’s water. DWR works with other agencies to benefit the state’s people, and to protect, restore and enhance the natural and human environments.

Spotlight

California Enters Fourth Dry Year with New Legislation, Regulations

As Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. last week announced a $1 billion legislative package to help California communities cope with the state's ongoing drought and the State Water Resources Control Board expanded water conservation regulations, DWR continued preparations for a fourth dry year with snowpack water content at only 9 percent of average and groundwater levels continuing to drop. While key reservoirs contain more water this year than last, they remain below average. The State Water Project's principal reservoir, Lake Oroville, holds 50 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity. "We cannot stress enough," said DWR Director Mark Cowin, "that water conservation will be critical in stretching our supplies to the maximum extent possible throughout the coming year."
Photos of Lake Oroville on March 2, 2015. To learn more about the emergency water regulations, visit: swrcb.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/emergency_regulations_waterconservation.shtml